Focus groups
What is a pre-screener? A plain guide to study invitations
Pre-screeners decide who gets invited to focus groups, interviews and product tests. Here is how they work, and how you are rewarded either way.
Usability testing: how websites and apps are tested with real people
Before a new website or app goes live, companies watch real people try to use it. That is a usability test, and it is one of the most interesting studies you can join. Here is what to expect.
Key points
- A usability test asks you to complete everyday tasks on a website, app or device while a researcher observes.
- The product is being tested, not you. If something is confusing, that is the finding.
- Thinking aloud, saying what you see, expect and feel, is the most helpful thing you can do.
- Tests can be moderated live with a researcher or unmoderated, where you record yourself following on-screen instructions.
What a usability test is
A usability test checks how easy something is to use. Designers might want to know whether people can find the search bar, understand a form, change a delivery date or set up a new device without help.
The best way to find out is to watch real people try. Teams often discover problems they never imagined, because they know their own product too well to see it like a newcomer.
The product is being tested, not you
This is the most important thing to remember. If you cannot find a button, misread a label or give up on a task, you have not failed. You have found a problem that would have affected many other people. Researchers are often most pleased when a participant struggles, because that is where the improvements are.
Moderated and unmoderated tests
Moderated tests
A researcher, called a moderator, runs the session live. It may be in person at a research lab or online by video call with screen sharing. The moderator gives you tasks one at a time, asks follow-up questions and keeps the session on track. Sessions usually last 30 to 60 minutes.
Unmoderated tests
You complete the test alone, in your own time. Software shows you tasks and records your screen, and sometimes your voice and face, while you work through them. You speak your thoughts aloud as you go. These tests are often shorter, around 15 to 30 minutes.
What thinking aloud means
Thinking aloud means narrating what is going on in your head as you use the product. For example:
"I want to change my delivery address, so I'm looking for something like 'account' or 'settings'. I'll try this menu icon. Hmm, I see 'orders' and 'help' but not 'address'. Maybe it's under orders? No... I'm not sure where to go now."
It feels odd at first, but it gets easier after a minute. Useful things to say out loud:
- what you are looking for
- what you expect to happen when you click something
- what surprised you
- when you feel unsure, annoyed or pleased
Do not try to be polite. If a page feels cluttered or a word makes no sense to you, say so. Designers need honest reactions, not compliments.
What to expect in a session
- Introduction and consent. The moderator explains the session and asks permission to record your screen and voice.
- Background questions. A few questions about how you normally use similar websites or apps.
- Tasks. For example, "Find a pair of running shoes under a set price and add them to your basket."
- Follow-up questions. How easy or hard each task felt and why.
- Wrap-up. Final thoughts and your overall impression.
You may be testing an early prototype where some buttons do not work yet. The moderator will tell you if something is not built.
Privacy and screen sharing
When you share your screen, close anything personal first: email, messages, banking and other tabs. Turn off notifications so private messages do not pop up. If a task asks you to log in or enter details, the study should provide test accounts or dummy information. Never enter real payment details during a test unless you have been clearly told why and are comfortable with it.
Accessibility in usability testing
Usability testing with people who use screen readers, magnification, voice control or keyboard-only navigation is extremely valuable. If you use assistive technology, mention it in your profile. You may be invited to studies that specifically need your experience, and the research team can make sure the setup works for you.
Common questions
Do I need to be good with technology?
Not at all. Studies often need people with a range of experience, including people who find technology frustrating.
What if I cannot complete a task?
That is useful information. Say what you would normally do next, such as give up, search online or call customer service, and the moderator will move on.
Will I be told which company the product belongs to?
Sometimes not until the end, or not at all, so your reactions are not influenced by the brand.
